In 1869, the Austrians issued the first postcards, and a year later the British followed suit. However, the earliest picture postcards didn't emerge till the Germans quietly started what was to become a universal trend. Without realizing it, they were setting free a torrent of images on the unsuspecting universe....In analytical terms the postcard could almost have been designed as a model for the relationship between the conscious and the unconscious. The text deals with the day-to-day practicalities and the image represents the dreamer's world. When you look at old cards, it's curious how often the front and back express conflicting or ambiguous messages. A bold, risque photo or illustration can be glossed over with a simple greeting: "Mildred. Sunshine wonderful. Paddling everyday. Yours, George."

Here are two pieces of postcard art. They actually got stamped, addressed, & sent to friends. Part of the charm of mail art is that it actually makes the postal journey, gets postmarked, crosses time & land. Even if I have to send one to myself to make it legitimate. These two were inspired by a couple of my favorite quotes. One from Orlando by Virginia Woolf & the other from Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke.

As you may have seen on my sidebar, I do adore the art of Elizabeth Schuch. I first saw her art in the little shop at Shakespeare's Globe Theater in London, England. I bought of few pieces (reproductions because of a student's budget) and they appropriately adorn the wall above my favorite bookshelf. Much of her work is inspired by the great Bard but her other pieces are marvelous as well (like the Gothic arched window above). So, I was very pleased to stumble upon her blog http://www.immortallongingsart.blogspot.com/ where I browsed with delight, especially the how-to's. It is definitely worth your time to browse her sites. View her non-Shakespeare art at http://www.eschuchdesign.com/ . View and purchase Immortal Longings art at http://www.immortallongings.com/ .

Thursday, August 7, 2008

A letter is a living soul, it is so faithful an echo of the voice which speaks in it that sensitive spirits count it among love's richest treasures. Old Goriot -Balzac

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Image Transfers made with Xylol/Xylene, available at hardware stores. I love the way this technique distorts the images. I feel like I'm trying to peek through a window or a hole in a wall or decades of dusty time. These images were used in a letter I sent to a friend, on the envelope and a package for a CD. Does anyone know if there is a copyright issue with transferring an image that is not yours? There probably is but I did lose a ton of detail in the transfer.